Hero.
Incredible dashcam footage from a Florida Highway Patrol SUV shows the moment a trooper put herself in harm's way in order to protect thousands of runners from a suspected DUI driver who plowed through a series of roadblocks.
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Toni Schuck drove her patrol car directly into the path of an oncoming suspected drunk driver who was traveling at a high rate of speed.
The Florida Highway Patrol said that there were nearly 7,000 people and scores of support staff nearby for the Armed Forces Skyway 10K Race Sunday morning.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports:
“According to the agency, at 8:45 a.m., a 2011 BMW 335i driven by (Kay) Watts northbound on Interstate 275 at an "excessive rate of speed" failed to stop or detour onto U.S. 41 as directed, instead driving through traffic cones and around other barricades with law enforcement officers present.
The state officers tried to stop the vehicle which kept going, toward the Skyway ignoring two Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers guarding the Skyway toll plaza.
"The BMW then encountered two FHP Troopers who were responding southbound in the northbound lanes" of I-275 from the south Skyway rest area "to intercept the vehicle and protect the thousands afoot on the Skyway Bridge."
The car evaded the first trooper before colliding "nearly head-on" with Schuck's vehicle.”
The Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement the agency:
"...acknowledges and expresses our appreciation to the many that have expressed their gratitude for the Trooper’s selfless actions.
Those wishing to contact Trooper Schuck, who continues to recover from her injuries with her family at home, may send their thoughts to her attention at Florida Highway Patrol, 11305 North McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 or via our FLHSMV and FHP social media."